Today Microsoft announced it's now accepting application submissions to its Windows Marketplace and launched a Race to Market Challenge to attract developers.

According to Mr. Todd Brix, Sr. Director of the Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft Corp. "Registered developers and ISVs can now upload their application, game or widget to the Windows Marketplace platform and we'll begin certifying those apps according to the process, policies and guidelines we?ve published. We certify apps on a First In, First Out (FIFO) basis. Certification should normally take about 10 business days initially and you can always check on your application during the process through our Developer Dashboard. To better market your app, you can provide us with all the product information and promotional materials you?d like us to use to describe and showcase your application for the more than 30 million Windows Mobile devices out there."

Mr. Brix added "Our strategy for all of this is pretty straightforward; we want to create a global marketplace for Windows Phones where developers and users meet to sell and buy high quality and high value applications that make work easier and life more fulfilling. We?re creating a clear process and new opportunity for developers and ISVs to make money from their investment in innovation. The applications we feature will be well organized, easily accessible by PC or phone and backed by a money back guarantee. And when they?re ready to buy, customers will have a variety of payment options to choose from. These are new customer experiences, and frankly, capabilities that will set us apart."